HSP90 Inhibitor Improves Lung Protection in Porcine Model of Donation After Circulatory Arrest.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion associated with prolonged warm ischemia during donation after circulatory death (DCD) induces acute lung injury. The objective of this study was to combine ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) and a heat shock protein-90 inhibitor (HSP90i) to recondition DCD organs and prevent primary graft dysfunction. METHODS: Pigs (55 to 65 kg) were anesthetized, ventilated, and hemodynamically monitored. Cardiac arrest was induced with potassium chloride, and animals were left nonventilated for 2 hours. Lungs were procured and perfused in an EVLP platform for 4 hours by using a cellular perfusate. In the study group, the perfusate contained HSP90i and its transport vehicle (n = 4). In the control group, the perfusate contained only the transport vehicle (n = 4). Gas exchange, airway pressures, and compliance were measured. Pulmonary edema was assessed by bronchoscopy and weight measurement. Lung biopsy samples were obtained for histologic analyses and protein expression measurements. RESULTS: The use of HSP90i reduced lung weight gain to 8.4 ± 3.4% vs 26.6 ± 6.2% in the control group (P < .05). There was reduced edema formation. The ratio of the partial pressure of arterial oxygen to the fraction of inspired oxygen at the end of EVLP was 423 ± 65 in the study group vs 339 ± 25 mm Hg in the control group, but this difference was not statistically significant. Lactate metabolism, pulmonary vascular resistance, and pulmonary arterial pressure improved during EVLP with the use of the HSP90i. CONCLUSIONS: The use of HSP90i with EVLP improves the lung reconditioning process. Further research is required to confirm whether these findings translate to benefit once transplanted and observed in vivo. Successful pharmacologic inhibitors may expand the donor pool in the context of DCD donors.

A new genus and species of felt scale (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Eriococcidae) from New Caledonia on an endemic species of Casuarinaceae.

A new genus of Eriococcidae, Dzumacoccus Hodgson gen. n., is erected for a new species, Dzumacoccus baylaci Hodgson, Germain Matile-Ferrero, feeding on Gymnostoma poissonianum, a species of Casuarinaceae endemic to New Caledonia. The adult female and first-instar nymph are described and illustrated.

Integrative taxonomy methods reveal high mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) diversity in southern Brazilian fruit crops.

The Serra Gaúcha region is the most important temperate fruit-producing area in southern Brazil. Despite mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) infesting several host plants in the region, there is a lack of information about the composition of species damaging different crops. A survey of mealybug species associated with commercial fruit crops (apple, persimmon, strawberry and grapes) was performed in Serra Gaúcha between 2013 and 2015, using both morphology and DNA analyses for species identification. The most abundant species were Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret), found on all four host plant species, and Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), infesting persimmon, vines and weeds. The highest diversity of mealybug species was found on persimmon trees, hosting 20 different taxa, of which Anisococcus granarae Pacheco da Silva & Kaydan, D. brevipes, Pseudococcus sociabilis Hambleton and Ps. viburni were the most abundant. A total of nine species were recorded in vineyards. Planococcus ficus (Signoret) and Pseudococcus longispinus (Targioni Tozzetti) were observed causing damage to grapes for the first time. A single species, Ps. viburni, was found associated with apples, while both Ps. viburni and Ferrisia meridionalis Williams were found on strawberry. Four of the mealybug species found represent new records for Brazil.

Investigating Biological Control Agents for Controlling Invasive Populations of the Mealybug Pseudococcus comstocki in France.

Pseudococcus comstocki (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a mealybug species native to Eastern Asia and present as an invasive pest in northern Italy and southern France since the start of the century. It infests apple and pear trees, grapevines and some ornamental trees. Biocontrol programmes against this pest proved successful in central Asia and North America in the second half of the 20th century. In this study, we investigated possible biocontrol agents against P. comstocki, with the aim of developing a biocontrol programme in France. We carried out systematic DNA-barcoding at each step in the search for a specialist parasitoid. First we characterised the French target populations of P. comstocki. We then identified the parasitoids attacking P. comstocki in France. Finally, we searched for foreign mealybug populations identified a priori as P. comstocki and surveyed their hymenopteran parasitoids. Three mealybug species (P. comstocki, P. viburni and P. cryptus) were identified during the survey, together with at least 16 different parasitoid taxa. We selected candidate biological control agent populations for use against P. comstocki in France, from the species Allotropa burrelli (Hymenoptera: Platygastridae) and Acerophagus malinus (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). The coupling of molecular and morphological characterisation for both pests and natural enemies facilitated the programme development and the rejection of unsuitable or generalist parasitoids.

Three new species of mealybug (Hemiptera, Coccomorpha, Pseudococcidae) on persimmon fruit trees (Diospyros kaki) in southern Brazil.

Brazil has the greatest insect diversity in the world; however, little is known about its scale insect species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha). Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae) have been found in at least 50% of persimmon orchards Diospyros kaki L. in the southern part of the country. In this study three new mealybug species on persimmon trees located in the Serra Gaúcha Region, RS, Brazil, namely, Anisococcus granarae Pacheco da Silva & Kaydan, sp. n., Ferrisia kaki Kaydan & Pacheco da Silva, sp. n. and Pseudococcus rosangelae Pacheco da Silva & Kaydan, sp. n. are described. In addition, an identification key for the genera occurring on fruit orchards and vineyards in Brazil is provided, together with illustrations and molecular data for the new species.

High-fidelity simulation of transcutaneous cardiac pacing: characteristics and limitations of available high-fidelity simulators, and description of an alternative two-mannequin model.

INTRODUCTION: Transcutaneous cardiac pacing (TCP) is a potentially lifesaving technique that is part of the recommended treatment for symptomatic bradycardia. Transcutaneous cardiac pacing however is used uncommonly, and its successful application is not straightforward. Simulation could, therefore, play an important role in the teaching and assessment of TCP competence. However, even the highest-fidelity mannequins available on the market have important shortcomings, which limit the potential of simulation. METHODS: Six criteria defining clinical competency in TCP were established and used as a starting point in the creation of an improved TCP simulator. The goal was a model that could be used to assess experienced clinicians, an objective that justifies the additional effort required by the increased fidelity. RESULTS: The proposed 2-mannequin model (TMM) combines a highly modified Human Patient Simulator with a SimMan 3G, the latter being used solely to provide the electrocardiography (ECG) tracing. The TMM improves the potential of simulation to assess experienced clinicians (1) by reproducing key features of TCP, like using the same multifunctional pacing electrodes used clinically, allowing dual ECG monitoring, and responding with upper body twitching when stimulated, but equally importantly (2) by reproducing key pitfalls of the technique, like allowing pacing electrode misplacement and reproducing false signs of ventricular capture, commonly, but erroneously, used clinically to establish that effective pacing has been achieved (like body twitching, electrical artifact on the ECG, and electrical capture without ventricular capture). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed TMM uses a novel combination of 2 high-fidelity mannequins to improve TCP simulation until upgraded mannequins become commercially available.

Molecular and morphological identification of mealybug species (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in Brazilian vineyards.

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are pests constraining the international trade of Brazilian table grapes. They damage grapes by transmitting viruses and toxins, causing defoliation, chlorosis, and vigor losses and favoring the development of sooty mold. Difficulties in mealybug identification remain an obstacle to the adequate management of these pests. In this study, our primary aim was to identify the principal mealybug species infesting the major table grape-producing regions in Brazil, by morphological and molecular characterization. Our secondary aim was to develop a rapid identification kit based on species-specific Polymerase Chain Reactions, to facilitate the routine identification of the most common pest species. We surveyed 40 sites infested with mealybugs and identified 17 species: Dysmicoccus brevipes (Cockerell), Dysmicoccus sylvarum Williams and Granara de Willink, Dysmicoccus texensis (Tinsley), Ferrisia cristinae Kaydan and Gullan, Ferrisia meridionalis Williams, Ferrisia terani Williams and Granara de Willink, Phenacoccus baccharidis Williams, Phenacoccus parvus Morrison, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley, Planococcus citri (Risso), Pseudococcus viburni (Signoret), Pseudococcus cryptus Hempel, four taxa closely related each of to Pseudococcus viburni, Pseudococcus sociabilis Hambleton, Pseudococcus maritimus (Ehrhorn) and Pseudococcus meridionalis Prado, and one specimen from the genus Pseudococcus Westwood. The PCR method developed effectively identified five mealybug species of economic interest on grape in Brazil: D. brevipes, Pl. citri, Ps. viburni, Ph. solenopsis and Planococcus ficus (Signoret). Nevertheless, it is not possible to assure that this procedure is reliable for taxa that have not been sampled already and might be very closely related to the target species.

Molecular identification of Epitrix potato flea beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Europe and North America.

Epitrix species (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) feed mostly on plants from the family Solanaceae and some of them are major pests of potato crops. All Epitrix species are morphologically highly similar, which makes them difficult to identify and limits their study and management. Identification of species is mostly based on the observation of the genitalia and requires a high level of expertise. Here, we propose a tool to reliably identify all developmental stages of the most economically important Epitrix species feeding on potato in Europe and North America (Epitrix cucumeris, Epitrix similaris, Epitrix tuberis, Epitrix subcrinita and Epitrix hirtipennis). We first sequenced two DNA markers (mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) and nuclear internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2)) to test their effectiveness in differentiating among six Epitrix species (126 specimens). Morphospecies of Epitrix were well-differentiated by both DNA barcodes and no mitochondrial introgression was detected. Then, we developed an RFLP-based diagnostic method and showed that unambiguous species discrimination can be achieved by using the sole restriction enzyme TaqI on COI polymerase chain reaction products. The tool proposed here should improve our knowledge about Epitrix species biology, distribution and host range, three capacities that are particularly important in the detection and management of these pest species. Specifically, this tool should help prevent the introduction of E. tuberis and E. subcrinita in Europe and limit the spread of the recently introduced E. cucumeris and E. similaris, with minimal disruption to Solanaceae trade.